Before the Great War

The Vickers first began service as the ‘Mk. I’ from the 26th November, 1912. This was the service pattern gun that remained largely unchanged for its entire service life. It was, by far, the largest Mark produced and the majority of parts in other Marks came from it.

The Great War

At the start of the Great War, the Vickers Mk. I in production varied only slightly from that adopted in 1912. However, it soon began to change. For the first few years, these changes were small and affected component parts and the amount of lightening that took place on that gun – the increased lightening increasing production time and cost. The completely lightened guns have a ‘five-arch’ top cover and any area where the thickness of the metal was greater than required, it was milled out so that only the minimum would remain. This even went to the extent of boring the centres of pins so they were hollow and saved precious-few ounces. The gun shown was produced in May, 1915, and displays all of the early milling.

As the demand for machine guns increased even more, it was decided that a smooth barrel jacket could be produced quicker that the fluted jackets. Therefore, from late-1917 some Vickers MGs were manufactured with smooth barrel jackets. They are similar in appearance to the Second World War production guns.

Between the Wars

The large numbers of guns produced during the Great War satisfied the appetite for replacements and, with refurbishment, were able to keep the British Army equipped throughout this period.

However, with the increased mobilisation in the 1930s, it was necessary for the War Office to start placing orders for further refurbishment and the commencement of further production. All were in .303-inch.

Australian production

It was also during the inter-war period that Australia began to manufacture Vickers MGs at its Small Arms Factory, Lithgow.

The Second World War

The ramp-up of Vickers MG repair and production increased with the outbreak of the War. From this time, some orders placed were referred to as ‘Ground Pattern’ guns, presumably to avoid confusion with Vickers Gas Operated Mk I guns. All were in .303-inch unless otherwise mentioned.

There were no more orders placed after this period. It is assumed that repairs were being carried out by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers or being scrapped. No more Vickers MGs were produced in the UK. Production did continue to take place in Australia for a short time.

Post-Second World War

In 1968, the Vickers Mk. I was declared obsolete and removed from British Army service. It was such a momentous occasion that it warranted a special dinner and an article on the front page of The Times on January 09, 1968.

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